How to write a Movie Review

Your homework for next Sunday will be to write a movie review on Persepolis.

COMPONENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR REVIEW

Title of the film or documentary: Be sure to name the film in your first paragraph. State the date of its release.

Summary: What happened in this film? As a reviewer, you must explain what happened in the film and express your opinion about the success or failure of the film maker’s creation.

Don’t be afraid to express your opinion, but include specific reasons for likes and dislikes.

You can’t say “it was boring” unless you provide justification.

Filmmaker/Author of the book the movie is based on: You should do a little research on the person who created this film or wrote the book.

Is the director or writer a controversial figure? Is the film maker or author known for a political stance? Does the film maker have a significant background?

If the film maker is known for controversy, this segment of your paper can be lengthy.

Devote several paragraphs to an assessment of his or her other works and establish the significance of this work in the film maker’s or author's career.

Significance to your class: Why are you seeing this film in the first place? How does the content fit into your course topic or theme recently worked on. 

Creative elements: Filmmakers go to great lengths to choose the creative elements of their films. How are these elements important to the overall product?

Costumes for a period film can enhance a film or they can betray the intent of the film.

Colors can be vivid or they can be dull. The use of color can stimulate and manipulate moods.

Black and white shots can add drama.

Good sound effects can enrich the viewing experience. Bad sound effects can destroy a film.

Camera angles and movement can add elements to the story. A jagged transition adds intensity. Gradual transitions and subtle camera movements serve a specific purpose, as well.

Actors can make or break a film. Were the actors effective, or did poor acting skills detract from the film’s purpose? Did you notice the use of symbols?

FORMATTING YOUR PAPER

This will be a paper for your english literature class, and should adhere to MLA formatting guidelines. The film would most likely be a feature film, so the outline might go like this:

• Introduction, with title and release date
• Summary of the story
• Analysis of story elements: Theme (central meaning), Characters, Plot and Structure, Setting (cultural, social, physical context of the story), Point of view (who is telling the story and how does it affect how it is told).
• Creative elements, use of color, camera techniques, mood and tone
• Your opinion about the movie with an explanation on why you liked it or not. 

Your conclusion should detail whether the filmmaker was successful in his or her purpose for making this film, and re-state your evidence. It may also explain how the film was (was not) helpful for illuminating and providing a deeper understand of a topic in your class.